Visit Our Sponsors
Predictions made by Frank Fleming on January 19, 2013 at 2:45 am ET.
Special
Thanks to Richard Biver for our new Goalie Mask Designs.

2012/13 NHL PREVIEW

Philadelphia Flyers 57 pointsThe Flyers will be able to score, but on defense they will continue to be left sore,
as they need Ilya Bryzgalov to rebound off a terrible season, if they are to
go anywhere this season. In the best division in hockey, just getting into the
playoffs could be a hard task if the Flyers do not improve on defense. They have
too much talent to completely fall flat, but they will have to scratch and
claw to get one of the last few spots in the playoffs.

EASTERN FINALS:Pittsburgh Penguins over New Jersey Devils

WESTERN FINALS:Los Angeles Kings over Chicago Blackhawks

STANLEY CUP FINALS:Los Angeles Kings over Pittsburgh Penguins

Vancouver Canucks 59 pointsThe sooner the Canucks can rid themselves of Goalie Roberto Luongo the better. Once
a fan favorite Luongo has become the target of fans ire in the Pacific Northwest
as he has gotten the blame for the 2011 finals collapse and last year's first
round flameout. They have another solid Goalie in Corey Schneider just waiting
to step in. What also hurts the Canucks is two-way forward Ryan Kesler is still
not ready to return form off-season surgery. Despite the loss of Kesler the
Canucks should still be a solid playoff team.

Tampa Bay Lightning 52 pointsGoals will be a plenty on Florida's Gulf Coast, as the Lightning once again should
be one of the highest scoring teams led by Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis,
Ryan Malone and Steve Stamkos. Unfortunately their opponents will likely score
even more goals as Tampa had the highest Goals Against Average last season
and did nothing to improve on their goaltending and defense. Simply put until the
Lightning can find a steady goalie they will be sitting home watching the playoffs
again.

Boston Bruins 59 pointsWith Goalie Tim Thomas taking a year sabbatical it will up to Tuukka Rask to secure
the net in Boston. In 2010 Rask spent most of the season in goal as Thomas had
a subpar season, and the Bruins were still among the stingiest teams in the
league thanks to defenseman Zdeno Chara. The Bruins will again be the best team
in the Northeast. However, Rask has struggled in the playoffs and it is hard to
imagine the Bruins going on a long run unless Thomas shows up and decides to
play.

Ottawa Senators 50 pointsLast year the Senators were one of the biggest surprises in the NHL, as they made
the playoffs in a season most expected them to be rebuilding. The driving force
was defense, as Erik Karlsson joined Bobby Orr and Dennis Potvin as Norris Trophy
winners under the age of 22. Karlsson has a bright future, but the Senators
will have a hard time equaling last year's success as they were partly spurred
by a career season from Goalie Craig Anderson, who ordinarily is average at best.
.

Florida Panthers 46 pointsSomehow the Panthers won the Southeast Division last season, and took the Devils
to a seventh game in the first round of the playoffs. They did it by almost playing
keep away from the opponent as they lost 18 games in overtime during the regular
season. If they lost just half of those games in regulation they would have
not come close to the playoffs. My sense is their ability to just survive until
overtime will not work two straight seasons.

Winnipeg Jets 40 pointsOne of the negative side effects of the labor dispute is that the NHL was unable
to work on realignment to get the Jets into the Western Conference. With all games
being in the East and a lot of games in division the Jets will be flying a
lot this season and that won't be good as they will once again be nearly eliminated
by their schedule. The Jets have young rising stars and will play well at
home, but it will not be enough as they finish in last.

New York Islanders 47 pointsThe good news for the Islanders is soon they will escape their rotting crypt on Long
Island for a city arena in Brooklyn, and John Tavares is rounding into one
of the bright young stars in the NHL. If not for playing in the rugged Atlantic
Division they could make a run at the playoffs. However, the Islanders do not
have enough depth or talent to escape last place, though they will not be pushovers
and will show signs of life for their long suffering fans.

Montreal Canadiens 42 pointsLast season Les Habitants hit fond rocheux, with the worst record in the Eastern
Conference, while fans fumed over the hiring of a non French speaking coach. With
Michel Therrien starting his second tenure year behind the bench order has been
restored in Montreal. However, the Canadiens are a long hot at best to reach
the playoffs. They do have a foundation on the blueline with P.K. Subban who
needs a long term deal and will be the top priority for the Habs as they focus
on returning to elite status in years to come.

Pittsburgh Penguins 66 pointsSidney Crosby is healthy rested and just aching to get on the ice and resume his
spot as one of the best players in the NHL. Just 25 Crosby has had a career of
peaks and valleys from winning a Stanley Cup and Gold Medal to a Post Concussion
Syndrome. If Crosby can stay healthy and Evgeni Malkin can continue his MVP play
the Penguins will be the team to beat. However, if they are to win the cup
they must improve on defense.

Washington Capitals 63 pointsWith Alex Ovechkin and the addition of Mike Ribeiro there is no question that the
Capitals will score. If Braden Holtby can provide strong goaltending like he did
in the playoffs and Mike Green can bounce back from an injury plagued season
the Capitals could be raising the Stanley Cup in June. New Coach Adam Oates, being
a former Capitals captain should be able to get the best out of the Caps,
who will be among the best teams in the East.

Toronto Maple Leafs 38 pointsLike a poorly attended to backyard, the Maple Leafs are one giant jumbled mess and
fans have reached the apex of frustration in Toronto. The Leafs have not seen
the postseason since 2004, in other words two lockouts ago and the sudden firing
of General Manager Brian Burke after the lockout ended puzzled everyone. The
team is said to be pursuing Roberto Luongo, but one can only think they are courting
disaster as Luongo who wilted in the 2011 finals, would certainly have trouble
in Toronto where fans get upset at every single loss.

Buffalo Sabres 55 pointsLike the Bruins the Sabres are a team based around a solid goalie and defense. If
Ryan Miller stays healthy the Sabres should be able to get into the playoffs this
season. I also fully expect a bounce back season by Tyler Myers who suffered
a disappointing seaon last season. However, if the Sabres are going to rise higher
than the eight seed or past the first round, they will need to find more
scoring.

New Jersey Devils 58 pointsThe last time there was a 48-game schedule after a long lockout the Devils were the
Stanley Cup Champions. Back than Martin Brodeur was a kid now he is a legend,
and despite being on the plus side of 40 he is still one of the best around.
The big issue will be replacing Zach Parise, but with the Devils defense they will
again be a dangerous team come the playoffs. The key player for the Devils
will be Ilya Kovalchuk who must provide the offensive leadership without Captain
Zach.

New York Rangers 68 points Last year the Rangers were the best team in the Eastern Conference and came within
two games of going to the Finals. They have the most rounded team in the NHL,
and are the unquestioned favorite as they have added some needed scoring in Rick
Nash. If Nash is able to withstand the pressure of playing important games and
scores at his normal level the Rangers will be hard to beat at least in the
regular season, which may be a big disadvantage when the postseason starts.

Anaheim Ducks 49 PointsLast season was a very disappointing season for the Ducks, as they got off to an
awful start and finished in last place in the Pacific Division. If they are to
return to the playoffs this year, the Ducks will need a better performance from
Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan or Ryan Getzlaf than they got last season, while keeping
Goalie Jonas Heller on the ice. Perry in particular was a letdown last year
as he managed just 60 points after winning the Hart Trophy in 2011.

Nashville Predators 45 points It was nearly a Tennessee two step out of Nashville, as the Predators needed to overpay
to match Shea Weber's deal with the Flyers, having already lost Ryan Suter
to free agency. It will be hard enough replacing Suter as he combined with Weber
to form the best defensive pair in the league. Many have doubted the Predators
in the past only to be proven wrong. I don't care I doubt they can make the
playoffs without Ryan Suter, as their offense is simply not good enough either.

Calgary Flames 34 pointsThe fire may still burn inside Captain Jarome Iginla and Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff
but the rest of the team is just wet in Calgary as the Flames need to begin the
process of rebuilding as both stars who were on the 2004 Finals team are the only
bright spots in an otherwise dim situation. This has all the makings of a fire
sale in Calgary as both Iginla and Kipprusoff would be valuable additions for
a contender as the Flames get prospects and start a new foundation. .

San Jose Sharks 55 pointsThe Sharks have been one of the best teams in the West for several years now, but
their inability to reach the Stanley Cup Finals has made their legacy one of disappointment.
The team is still led by Joe Thornton who is not getting any younger.
To say their window of opportunity is closing would be an understatement.
Last season they need a strong finish just to make the playoffs and went out quietly
in the first round, I see the same thing this season.

Edmonton Oilers 54 pointsNo team is younger and more talented than the Edmonton Oilers whose struggles have
enabled them to get the top pick in the NHL draft each of the last three seasons.
Eventually all that talent will pay off and the Oilers will be cup contenders.
For now fans will settle for a playoff cameo. This is something I think the
Oilers will get as they will also get a boost from Justin Schultz who has been
turning heads in the AHL during the lockout.

Detroit Red Wings 51 pointsThe last time the Red Wings missed the playoffs, Total Recall was in the theaters
with Arnold saving Mars, and last year they remade Total Recall with audiences
saving their money by not watching it. This year the Wings run will end, this
is an old team and it is time to rebuild as the loss of Captain Niklas Lidstrom
a seven time Norris Trophy winner will be too much to overcome. Their blue line
also lost Brian Rafalski and Brad Stuart, leaving nobody to cover-up Goalie Jimmy
Howard's foibles.

Columbus Blue Jackets 21 pointsBlessed are the fans of the Columbus Blue Jackets, since joining the NHL in 2000
they have been the league's punching bag and a comic's punchline. Without Rick
Nash things are only going to get worse, especially as Ryan Murray the number two
overall pick out for the season with a shoulder injury. With just 48 games,
it may be hard for the Blue Jackets to even post more than ten wins. One day they
will make the finals and their fans who stick by them now will get rewarded
if they live that long.

OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS

Chicago Blackhawks 64 pointsThe Blackhawks are a team that can win the Stanley Cup or flame out and have trouble
just making the playoffs. The key is their defense and goaltending, if Corey
Crawford is sharp the Blackhawks, (which should be easy if Duncan Keith has a
strong season like I expect him to have0 they will go far. With Marian Hossa ready
to go after his concussion and Jonathan Toews always poised to be among the
league leaders, I see the Blackhawks being at the top of the Western Conference.

Minnesota Wild 60 pointsNot since the Wild ushered the NHL's return to Minnesota in 2000, has the State of
Hockey anticipated the start of a season this much. The free agent signings of
Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, both natives in the Land of 10,000 Lakes have Wild
fans dreaming of a Stanley Cup. Now fans should realize it may take time for
this team to gel, but at least in the regular season they should have a strong
enough season to take them to the top of the Northwest.

Phoenix Coyotes 56 pointsLike a world class golf course in Nome, Alaska a hockey team in Phoenix has had trouble
getting much support. This is a shame as the Coyotes are a solid team that
for the first time had some success last year, reaching the Western Conference
Finals, led by Captain Shane Doan. Getting back to the conference final will
be a hard task for the Coyotes who hope to finally fide some stable ownership
this season which will secure their future in the desert.

Los Angeles Kings 62 pointsNo team has won back to back Stanley Cup Championships since the Red Wings repeated
in 1998. However, no team has been better poised to hold on to the crown like
the Los Angeles Kings are this year. Last year's playoffs confirmed what many
hockey insiders already knew and that is Jonathan Quick is the best goalie in
the NHL. The Kings also have one of the best defenses in the NHL, and the acquisition
of Jeff Carter last season gave them just enough offense to win the cup.

Colorado Avalanche 48 pointsThe Avalanche are starting to piece together a solid young nucleus, which will make
them one of the teams to beat for years to come in the West. However, they have
too many holes to overcome to be considered a serious playoff contender this
year. Hoping to fill some of the holes the Avs signed P.A. Parenteau, but this
was is a longshot gamble at best. Fans in Denver should enjoy the continued
development of Gabriel Landeskog, who should olnly get better after winning
the Calder Trophy last season.

Dallas Stars 41 points
The Stars who have missed the playoffs in each of the last four seasons are
starting to piece together a solid young defense. This off-season after the departure
of Mike Ribeiro the Stars made some puzzling moves by signing Jaromir Jagr
and Ray Whitney both of whom are over the age of 40 and well past their primes.
Unless Jagr can find the fountain of youth and Goalie Kari Lehtonen has a
career year the Stars will be home again in for the postseason.

St. Louis Blues 61 pointsLast year the Blues were one of the best teams in the NHL as they had the stingiest
defense in the league backed by goalies Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak, The
two will again share duties between the pipes, but ultimately the Blues will
need to choose one or the other if they are to take the next step. It won't matter
who is chosen, as they have a strong defense led by Alex Pieterangelo, but
they will likely need some more offense punch to win the cup.

Carolina Hurricanes 60 pointsThe Hurricanes are banking on a pair of Staals helping Carolina rain goals upon the
Eastern Conference; as they added All-Star Jordan Staal to longtime fan favorite
Mark Staal. The Staal brothers along with Jeff Skinner should make the Hurricanes
one of the most exciting teams in the NHL, and if they can get a solid
season out of Goalie Cam Ward, and their young defense led by Justin Faulk they
could sneak up and make a run at another Stanley Cup.